Publications

The Academic Office coordinates the statutes, policies and other publications that support quality academic processes and outcomes.

Academic Policy Publications and Resources

The documents listed here are produced by the Academic Office. Requests for any changes to content should be sent to the Academic Office.

To order any of these documents, please contact Lynn Grindell.

Calendar

Victoria University of Wellington Calendar is a yearly publication which provides key academic information and general information about the University.

The Calendar contains the main academic statutes and policies, including the statutes for each qualification. A complete set of the University's statutes, policies and procedures is available on the Policy website.

The publication of the calendar is managed by the Academic Office.

View the University Calendar.

Assessment Handbook

Assessment plays a fundamental role in achieving the University’s core mission of excellence in teaching and research. Assessment is not simply a process of comparing performance against standards.

In addition to allowing students an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired, assessment gives students the opportunity to refine and deepen their knowledge through analysis and feedback provided by staff.

The Assessment Handbook contains policies and procedures relating to the administration of academic assessment. The policies have been approved by the Academic Board and apply to all courses taught at Victoria University of Wellington.

Download the Assessment Handbook pdf1.4MB .

Course Outlines

All students should receive a Course Outline for every course they enrol in at Victoria University of Wellington. Course outlines (which may be provided electronically or in hard copy) follow a standard format and include details of the course content and delivery, including learning objectives and details of how these will be assessed.

Pamphlets and Forms

Academic Grievances

The University's academic grievance procedures are there to help students who have experienced problems relating to academic quality or academic advice.

For instance, if a student thinks that he/she has been treated unfairly or that the course information has been misleading, he/she can apply for an academic grievance.

Aegrotats

An aegrotat is a consideration of how much a student has learned in the course work completed before the exam or final assessment. Students may apply for an aegrotat pass if their preparation for, performance in, or ability to attend an exam or complete an assessment due in the last three weeks of teaching is impaired, because of illness, injury or other serious circumstances beyond their control. To be granted an aegrotat pass, students need to have done well in their previous course work.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is when someone presents the work of someone else as if it were their own, whether intentionally or not. It undermines academic integrity simply because it is a form of cheating.

This is why plagiarism is not tolerated at the University. Academic staff and students are expected to behave honestly, fairly, and with respect for others at all times.

Read the University's guidance on academic integrity and plagiarism.

Special Pass

A special pass may be awarded to a student who misses or arrives too late for an examination. A candidate should fill in a declaration for a special pass along with an Academic Profile.

The student must apply directly to the Faculty Manager of the relevant Faculty.